The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

SOCMA is the leading trade association representing the specialty chemical industry. Events are a core component of SOCMA’s value proposition, driving member engagement, industry connection, and non-dues revenue.

The Director of Events leads the planning, execution, and ongoing development of SOCMA’s events portfolio, including the SOCMA Summit and Show. This role is responsible for strengthening event performance, enhancing the attendee experience, and supporting organizational priorities. The Director works closely with membership, marketing, and industry program teams to ensure events are well executed, aligned, and positioned for continued growth.

This role is hybrid, with 2 days a week required in the metro accessible SOCMA office in Crystal City. 

Event Strategy & Portfolio Development

• Develop and evolve SOCMA’s events portfolio to support organizational priorities
• Identify and drive opportunities to grow attendance, sponsorship, and overall event value
• Evaluate event performance and implement improvements
• Align events with member needs and overall organizational strategy
• Evaluate and select event locations, including site visits

Event Execution & Strategy

• Lead planning and execution of SOCMA events, including the annual meeting and trade show
• Oversee timelines, logistics, vendor coordination, and on-site operations
• Ensure a consistent, high-quality experience across all events
• Shape event programming, speaker strategy, and overall attendee experience

Revenue & Sponsorship

• Partner with leadership on sponsorship strategy and packaging, and drive execution
• Lead exhibitor engagement and retention efforts
• Work closely with marketing and membership teams to drive attendance
• Track and report on event performance metrics
• Manage event budgets, including tracking revenue, expenses, and overall performance

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate closely with membership, marketing, communications, and industry program teams to ensure successful execution of events
• Ensure alignment between event programming, member engagement, and organizational messaging
• Work across teams to support planning and execution of major events and related initiatives, including workshops and regional meetings
• Support event planning and execution for affiliated organizations as needed, based on organizational priorities and capacity

Operations & Process Improvement

• Identify and implement improvements to event workflows and processes
• Develop tools and systems to support efficient execution
• Drive improvements in event technology and data tracking

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage relationships with venues, vendors, and contractors
• Oversee contract coordination and ensure vendor deliverables are met
• Lead negotiation of contracts with venues, vendors, and event partners, with final terms subject to internal review and approval
• Monitor costs and ensure effective use of event resources

Education and Experience

• 8–10+ years of experience in event planning, meetings, or conference management
• Experience leading the planning and execution of large-scale events or trade shows, including multi-day programs and exhibitor components
• Experience managing event budgets and working with revenue targets, including sponsorships and exhibitor engagement
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, timelines, and priorities
• Experience developing and advancing event strategy and portfolio growth
• Experience working within a trade association, nonprofit, or member-driven organization is preferred
• Bachelor’s degree, relevant field preferred
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification or similar industry credential preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of event planning and execution, including large-scale meetings, conferences, and trade shows
• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple timelines, stakeholders, and competing priorities
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to execute at a high level
• Ability to think strategically about event performance while also managing day-to-day execution
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work effectively across teams
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive accountability without direct authority
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors, partners, exhibitors, and sponsors
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills, particularly in fast-paced or high-pressure event environments
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team setting

About Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates

About Us: SOCMA empowers our members with the latest industry knowledge, an unparalleled peer network, highly customized resources and dedicated technical and professional staff. Our Mission: SOCMA supports and fosters the growth of the specialty chemical industry by delivering legislative and regulatory advocacy, promoting the highest levels of safety, and strengthening business intelligence and manufacturing operations. Our Vision: To unite the specialty chemical industry by providing a forum for advocacy, operational excellence and commercial growth, while rooted in the principle of safe operations.

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